Traffic signaling system



Feb. 10, 1943. |=.1HINsHEAM/oon 2,435,683v

TRAFFIC SIGANLING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 24, 1944 :5 .sheets-sheet 1 v 2 a 1759*/ *ff 2.6 |25 1.9

Feb. 1o, 194s. P, WNSHELWOOD 2,435,683

4TRAFFIC SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed Feb. 24, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z' 4 1n.4 Y Y I I y 2f a I It mim 20 Feb. 10, 1948. y p, HlNsHLwOD l 2,435,683

TRAFFIC VSIGNALNG SYSTEM Filed Feb. 24,A 1944 s sheets-sheet s Paw/Ek L/Ne f v/MAL PHASE /0 73 @D L www 77 Y I ./tarffeg/ 5patented Feb. 10,

uNir-iszp'- STATES oFF-rcs dow display, .such as toshow, throw, direct or reflectcolors towardor at 'articles on exhibit, ilash lights or the like, and issiiperior to rtl'iosein usel or on the' market doing. comparable work .because it is more simple and more economical to produce and operate, in addition `to being more efficient, reducing arcing and itsdiSadVantageS, Vand eliminates large and expensive devices with a large number of expensive andinoving parts, suchasl adjustable fingers .andlconta'cts,.cylinders, discs or barrels on which contacts. are used, relatively.

heavy and vlarge motors, rheostats, ratchets, refducing gears,.so1e'noid's, etc., which, of course,

render present devices very. cumbersome, expen sive and dicult to maintain.

With the present signal systems, when. theoperating motor or mot-ors,stop' irom..any l cause, it usually happens thatthe opposite' signalssuchr as red and green stop andfgof signals, or the yellow or amber, and turn arrows orindications. and walk signals, are left" set yz tgainstone 'another in bewildering or'contradictory relation in.

opposite directions" at intersectingstreets .or

trac lanes and thereby cause 'serioustrai-Iic'accn. dents especially duringhours of darkness; .A very important object ofthe .present invention is to. eliminate such conditionsand avoid accidents, in.

that, instead of waiting untitllsuchother devices can be repaired, vas at l p'1ies"ent,lmy system is 'so-v designed that shouldv the operating motor stop., for any reason,` as by burning out, or .resulting from the blowing of a fuse, or other disruption in the circuit or flow of electrical current, the device will automatically disconnect the'red and green, or other direction lights, and-i s'et all tipposing yellow or amber lightsini operation to as'h* at :desired inter-vals, usually every vsecond,r or from 50-60 'flashes-'per A1nin'ute,for otherwise;"asV

desired, so that warning or cautionv signals y or indications will be given to drivers oi'veliiclesand pedestrians approaching anl'intersectionin any and-every direction, thereby eliminating acci4` dents.

Also,"the'setting of such signals may-be easily4 and quickly accomplished inan 'emergenclori at any time or. hour, bybrealting orf intei-ru'ptlllgr the .fcir'cuit forcurrent flow 'tolthe operating iintoi A rein` u rig lja inse', harid restoration e,'irepai`r or" repla'csernentV- of a operationoft ystem and signals. 5 lariotner; .ob,y

, an maintenanceor signal 4systems the purpose of the `present-inven`` as .applied 4toi' traic timers, Aregu- Andth ob cristo *e1` "materne 'use of parts, sj, jcylidersjrhostatsijor' the like and break of the' circuitsre'sults 2U ampere, 1 '1'01 f yl't, ,"Gcfitally.` enclosed .micro-type, Whicnaifels'riall, econoinical.v and reliable as well @liebten-t9@about0i Wrking order and by Weihthetmecl relation Ofi-the signal Operations 25' inay. ,be easily,regulated bythe operation Vof the thamotr and :driven at; a. very ,slowV speed,y such the' combination ofzsuchmotoraridswitches going sonas -to Aproperly operate almostindefinitely Without derangement or .disrepairlr f Another object fis ftol providela construction4 -by which:v a: serieswiorzpairs .ofsy opposed` series vof` switchesimay: berbperatedfrom a single lshaft and cams; A'driven byi-f'a single 'small "slow "speed motor,.-

sofasftoiexhibitlanyl desired' numberlof signals 'in switch, f' ybecause bf li'riti particular intersection "V 'f nfgthementionv is to greatly? tion and reduce the cost of thefelec rical'current with carbon" reali.V switches, .preferably of' the. .10.

switches froingpamsonga shaftfdirectly coupled'toV to,` maliciav more thoroughly4 dependable and trouble i ffreej signal- 5 system vand apparatus. or device',v

tor and permit the 'or operate one or more relays through which electrical current may bevied to a larger load than the switches will safely take, or it is desired 'to place thereon, such as a large number of lights or other signals, which may embrace any type of discernible signal, either visual or audible, and operate in connection with any desired number of signals or signal heads containing the signals or lamps, as may be required at certain or unusual intersections, andstill provide a'dependable and relatively trouble-free signal system.

Still another object is to provide an automatically operative emer-gency equipment or arrangement whereby should the normal system, including the red, green and yellow, stop, go, and caution lights or warning lights fail to operate or function as intended for normal trac condi- 4 cation, reference being had to the accompany-- ing drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of the control or timer of the signal system or device, mounted on a panel adapted to be enclosed in a casing or housing.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on lthe line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of the electrical circuit embodying the signal system or device in normal operation at intersecting traftlc lanes or streets.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig, 3, showing the position of the parts for operating the ilasher ,"signals, with a slight modification of the circuit.

tions, which would be very rarely, the ordinary yellow or amber caution lights, which are a part of and incorporated in the system to normally indicate to approaching traffic, changes in signals or traflic conditions, will be automatically set to intermittently operate or flash as blinkers simultaneously with each other, but against each other at opposite sides of an intersection, as warning or caution lights independently of the red and green, or stop and go lights, but after all of the lights, including the red stop" and green go lights, as well as the yellow caution lights, are rst extinguished, so that the same yellow or amber lights will again be immediately or instantaneously set in operation independently as blinkers and may be used for both signal indications, or traiic conditions without requiring separate amber or yellow traffic lights therefor, thereby providing a safety element which is lacking in every other signal system in use at the present time. This gives the necessary margin of safety by automatically putting into operation all amber light on that intersection and flashing said amber lights at proper intervals, such as every second, or 50 times per minute, or at other desired intervals, when for any reason the operating motor should stop. These amber lights will continue to iiash indefinitely for hours or weeks, until'the blown fuse or the defective operating motor is replaced, or other repair made to correct the trouble, which has caused disruption of the circuit. Thus, when the system would fail, as by stopping of the operating motor, instead of the confusion which now exists with red and green lights from opposite approaches of an intersection being set against each other, or continuing to be lighted, thereby causing accidents, especially at night, my device will immediately kill or extinguish those lights, leaving only the amber lights, flashing intermittently or working as blinkers, thus avoiding accidents. The system may be easily, quickly and economically set or restored to normal operation.

Another object is to provide automatically operative means to cause intermittent operation or flashing of the amber lights as blinkers for definite or predetermined periods or hours of each day or twenty-fourhour period, when traiic is practically nil, or light, such as vat night or between twelve midnight and ve or six a. m., or at other desired times, by positively and intentionally opening the circuit to the normal signal operating motor, or otherwise, during such periods while allowing normal signal operation during the remaining or other periods, or hours, in accordance with trafhc conditions.

Further objects and advantages will appear and be brought out more fully in the following speci- Fig, 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the motordriven cams, showing a micro-switch arrangevkof Fig. 5.

In accordance with the present signal system or device, the controller or timer is positioned in any desired relation to, or distance from, the signals controlled thereby and in any desired number, usually with postsl having signal heads or boxes housing thelights and colored lenses, or reflectors, or the bulbs may be colored. The casing or housing of the controller encloses a frame, including spaced parallel plates Ill, adjustably connected by rods or bolts II, suitably anchored to a panel I2, as at I3, and having bearings I4 .for a cam shaft I5 directly coupled at one end, as at I6, to the adjacent inner end of the rotor shaft of a motor Il, which may be mounted on and insulated from one of the plates I0.

This motor is a self-starting synchronous motor, preferably 1 R. P, M., for driving the shaft I5 at the same speed. Removably and adjustably xed to the shaft I5 are any desired number of cams, preferably of insulation, dielectric or plastic material, such as Bakelite, hard rubber, composition, `hidey or metal, or otherwise, such as cams I 8, for red and green or stop and go lights 20 and 2|, and cams I9 for yellow or amber lights 22 for caution, or indicating a change in the signals, or, there may be other lights or signals, visual or audible, such as left or right turns, or arrows designating the same, walk for pedestrians, or otherwise.

These signals or lights are usually set in signal heads or casings on posts at the various corners,

or otherwise suitably mounted at an intersection with green facing one Way, and red facing another way across the intersection, opposing one another, and operating on the same circuit, assuming that the timed operation thereof is the same, the num- -ber of signals varying with the number of intersecting highways, streets or trahie lanes. Any number of such cams may be provided on and fixed to the shaft I5, the contours thereof depending on the lengths and timing or sequence of the signals.

Rigidly mounted on supporting rods 23, adjustably clamped to the plates Ill in slots 24 for adjustment toward and away from the cams I8 and I9, with spacing sleeves 25 therebetween, are a plurality of switches 26, so as to vary the coacting relation of the switches and cams which are aligned therewith to insure proper operation of the switches.

The switches 26 are preferably micro-switches,v such as shown in Patent No. 1,960,020, and may be of the 10 ampere, 110 volt, totally enclosed quick-make and break type, or of other capacity, enclosed in insulation, dielectric or plastic casings, and having metallic spring-operating arms or levers 21, shown extending upwardly and out-.L

w'ariiln Spring-hangin; ncrniellyxocenzpesiiicns otthe Contacts thereof aridi adapted to vbe er1. gagjedf by Ithe earns l8f,a;nd'y ljandpressed jinwardly toV close, the K same in' ,certain I positions of the' rotation` or the cams with` the l motoredriven Shaft.-`

hese svsvlitch'esl maybe arranged in a-single series, spaced Vapart in agrow longitudinally and at rone side of theshaft l5 and parallel thereto, to be operated proper `sequence orL timed-re@ lation, in accordancewiththejdesired timingjor setting of the various signalsalleiniger-,vision such `4as lights-or bells, for operation `by the siniilarly spacedcarns I8 and I9 fonj the shaftji 5, as shown in, Fig. 1 vof the' drawings.` Howevenwas shown@ in Fig.` 45, the, switches,' x`nay be arranged'in pairs `vofi opposed series, or rows,A spaced apart as describe@ on opposite lsides of` the shaft l5,` including theswitclies, 2S',4 operatedV by thefcams I8 andA I9,V and an additional seriesl or@ row of switches 26 rho'untedjonsilnilarly supported-adjfistabie roes g3', witnspacingsieeves 25', ,on the vopposite side*l of, and parallel tothe shaft I5,A anlftlle'rods 23,;l tobe'operated by similar cams.

The switches 26" vmay be 'operated `by additional cams I B andV |91 Ori thesame shaft, `operated bythe same motor directlyjcoupled to' the single motorshaft,4 as described. Thepurpose of the additional ro'w of switches operated by addition'aljcains on the ,same-shaft, is; 'cooperate-a larger number i different or additional signals wherejreqnired, such lasjleft Yturns, or arrows, walk, or otherwise, orwhere three ormore streetsr intersect, and -at'the same'time permit the use of aV single Yoperating motor shaft with-.a 'short and cornp'actarrangement of the parts in a l small housing.4

The circuitof-'linewires 128 `aridnsually of a -11 0"vo1t, siintycycle,l A; lC. current supply, has its Vneutra-l side, orjlirre Z6- connected bya conductorwire 30 to oneend' fof ,the magnet wind-` ingg'or `coil 3l of a normally; closedmultiple, or three-pole double-throw relay 312,- the armature 3316i which is suitably 4held in Vone, direction, as by va spring, org-ravity, away from the magnet, sotliat Vits pivotedjcontact arn1s-34y35 `and36 are normally held against vcooperating contacts 31,5 38 Aand V39,"and `away from opposed spaced contacts Ml, 4| and 42, which may be the termir1-'als' or bindingposts ofthe lrelay `leading to the `respective contacts.

Thevphase side Yor 1ine29 has acontrol switch 431i'nterposed,therein, and wire Vconnections 44; lullig 41 andY 4'8 `leading' therefrom with interposed protecting fuses'B,I which may be of the plug, orv other suitable type.' Wires 46, 41 and 48 are Vconnected to the contact arms 34, 35 Land 36. The wire45=connects to one terminal for binding post'of the motorA I1 whichhas its other terminal connected `bya wire 5-to one end of the magnet winding 4on coil 5|"ofa normally closed single-pole single-throw relay52.- The 'otherend ofthe coil 5'l is connectedfby a wire 53to the,neutralline-wire-23 I Wire 44 connects to one terminal or binding post of vtls1 e;rela i f 52;V as yrepresented by contact, am 5`4fth`ereof, which'arinis spring,l or gravity` heidi against the A contact' 55y`sp'aced from the magnet 5l ,"and has a wi re 56y connecting it to 4suitable sequence; depending on the tralicj con ditions or nur nbelrrof intersecting-streets; as Awill hereinafter'beiexplained.

- Wires 511connect the contacts 31, 38'and 38to one terminal gir-binding postf-of'each of the respectiye normally open switches 26,'as representcams 18e-and Hl;` v These v operating or contact arm-S11; are normali-y -spacedfrom contacts 58 or the switches-263andcontacts 58 -are connectedliby wires-591tolthe other -bindingposts or terminals ofthe various signals orslights-Zl),` Z-I and 221, asV clearly seen inivEigs fof the drawings.Y

Wiresc and 6l Eccm'fnectwires3|) and 56,- leadingto the-magnetic coilf3l of therelay 32',I to the terminalsoi a. snilailli self-'starting synchronous motor 62A which,.lik`e lthe elernents-32,l 43, rand 52, is mounted on the panell2. The-motor-62 may operate at 25? R:.P. ort other desired-speed, and is. `mounted-fon a'. plate 63;` .l secured to -panel !2-, as .at 64d Thefrotorshaft' 65Nof-lthe1motor 62 carries a double-actingoppeisitely` tapered, or substantially'tdiamoncli shaped:` cam 66;- with rounded ends, which-is set` between and acts in opposite directionsaag'ains'tthe yoper-ating contact arms 61 ofsni-icroeswitches- 68Lfwhichare similar to `arms 21,- and fswlitches --26 and 126'-,V respectively.

Switches 68 -maybel'mounted onplate 63 for adjustment towardandn awayfroni each otlier and relative to the CamLGSin-the same' manner as the switches 2`6y-ar'idf26 are mounted on vthe plates I0. VThey Eare 4sllow'n `mounted on the bolts orrodsV 69 ait theFslotsJDyso that'the switches-68', and more especially-trie arms 61 thereof, will-be properly engaged b'y the cam 66 to'properly actuate the lswitches .touopenand close-them siniul-v taneously, orl infany-iotherwdesired .sequence for operating the.` -yel-low-lor--amber cautionI lights or` signals 22 at.' oppositelintersections vas flashers orrblinkers.

As shown-the -arn's 61 and switches Vvlili may be set in divergent wrelationtoeach other toward the top, or free-'ends' of `the arms,v as bestsuited to their operation; The -termi-nals',- or bind-ing posts of the switches represented bythe contactfarms 61, are connected-by wires- 1I to the wires 59, leading from the contacts `58`of- `the switches 26, each-connectedto vthe yellowbr amber caution signals'ior lights `22 at opposite sides of the -intersect'ion-.v-

The other terminals ori binding vposts-of-the switches 68, as represented by contacts or arms 12 are connected by wires 13 and `T4 tof the conftacts |10 and-421i Thexpnrpose -of these connec-v tions isto complete the circuit to the yemerger-icy relay energizing circuit provided bytherelay 3'2",- and its magnet 3l, to operate the motor 16'2fffor flashing the yellow lor-amber caution `lighjtsff22, as vwillfbe more fully` descrilded.v 'Some detail A"'o'ffthe switches 26,126 and lfand the mounting of I'the contacts and arms, or levers 21:=and`61, is shown inl-Fig -Zof'the drawings, but lfurther detailmay be had lby reference to P atent No. 1,960,020, bearing in mind, however, that these switches are normally openandclosed by pressing in on the arms lor` leversv 21 andf61.

all/of *these svlfii'ichesfarel normally openV and 'after '7 being closed by cams engaging and pressing inwardly on operating arms or levers 21 and 61 to close the switches and the circuits therefor, and 'then released, will immediately return to open positions.

3 Also, all of the cams I8, I9, I8', I9 and 66 are preferably mounted on peripherally notched hubs or collars 15, removably and adjustably held by suitable means, such as set screws 16, in desired positions on the shafts I5 and 65, so that the cams may be set to give the desired sequence of operation oi the signals or lights.

A suggested desirable sequence during a sixtysecond cycle is to have the cams I8 so formed and set, as shown, that the green lights 2| indicating go for trailic bound in either direction on one street or highway, are on for thirty seconds, and the red lights 2U, indicating stop, also, controlled by the saine cams at their switches 26 for trail'ic bound in either direction on an intersecting street, or highway, are simultaneously on during the same or any other desired period, and vice versa, so that the signals of all intersecting streets or highways are set against each other.

However, the earns I9, Acontrolling the yellow or amber caution lights 22, associated with the green and red lights in the various signal boxes on posts, or otherwise, through their switches 26 are so formed and set that a cam I9 will close its switch 26 and circuit to the yellow or amber lights, indicating a change from green or go to red or stop, will be lighted with the green lights during the last five seconds of the thirty second period, thereby giving the necessary time duration for the traiiic to stop before the green lights have been changed to red.

On the other hand, the other cam I9 will close its switches 26 and circuit to the yellow or amber caution lights 22, indicating the change from red or stop to green or go, will be lighted with the red lights during the last two seconds of said thirty seconds, or other period, thereby indicating to the halted trailic to prepare to start or proceed with caution Also, if desired, a twentyve-second walk signal may be provided with each green signal, starting simultaneously therewith, as by the cams I8 engaging the operating arms or levers 21 of their switches 25 or left turns operating for any desired period or number of seconds at the beginning or end of each green or red signal duration, operated by the cams I9' engaging the operating arms or levers 21 of their switches 26'.

Of course, the cycle and the sequence or time durations of the signals may be varied, as desired, as where more time is given to the traiiic on a busy street, arterial highway, or boulevard, and les-s time to an intersecting street or highway, or where there are more than two intersecting streets or highways, or where any additional signals are necessary or desirable, such as for indicating left turns, walk for pedestrians, or otherwise.

Attention is, also, directed to the fact that one switch may be employed in lieu of the two switches 68, by extending the wires 1I from the operating contact arm, or lever 61 to boththe amber or yellow light connections 59, and a single wire instead of wires 13 and 14, to both the contacts 46 and 42. y

Should the load on the ten ampere microswitches 26, such as for the green and red signals, or lights 26 and 2|, be excessive, or greater than .dictated by standard practice, which would keep the load down below the maximum capacity prf scribed therefor, say five amperes, in order torincrease the useful life oi the switches, or prevent burning out thereof, these switches may simply be used only for controlling or timing the closing of the operating circuits to the lights, and such arrangement is shown in Fig. 4 in which connections 11 are made from the neutral line wire 28 to one end ol' the magnet windings or coils 18 of normally open single-pole single-throw relays 19. The other ends of the windings or coils 18 are connected by wires 86 to one contact or terminal 58 of each of said switches 26 instead of directly connecting the latter at such points to the lights by the wires 59.

The other contacts or terminals represented by, or to which the arms or levers 21 are connected at the switches 26, and to which the wires 51 are connected, are, also, connected by wires 8I to one contact 82 of each relay 19, and the other contacts 83 thereof are connected by wiresA 84, which replace the wires 59, to the lights 26 and 2I. That is, the wire 51 may be said to be extended to the contacts 82 in addition to connecting to the terminals or contacts indicated by the arms or levers 21.

In this manner, when said -switches are closed by the cams I8, the normally open relays 19 will be closed to close the circuit to said lights through said relays 19, instead of through the switches 26, and placing theload on the latter, which are merely used as control means for the desired time duration. When the operating arms or levers 21 of the switches 25 are released, these switches will automatically open to deenergize the previously energized relay coils 18 and open the circuits to said lights.

In the operation of the signal system, or device, with the time or control mechanism as described, the device is set in operation bymerely closing the switch 43. When this switch is closed, the electrical current from the supply line 29 passes through the wire 45 and its fuse 49 to the motor I1 and back through the wire 50 to the magnet 5I of relay 52, and then through the wire 53 .t0 the line 28. This will start the motor I1 and revolve the shaft I5 and cams I8 and I9 at l R. P. M., or any speed required, simply by changing the motor.

This also, energizes the magnet 5I to open the normally closed relay 52 by pulling over the armature contact 54 away from the contact 55 against which it is normally engaged in the closed position, as shown in Fig. 4, to the position shown in Fig. 3. As the motor I1 continues to rotate, the shaft I5 and the cams I6 and I9 will revolve therewith at the same speed to close the switches 26 in the desired sequence and for such time intervals as desired, which may be as heretofore explained;

Thus, the cams I8, by closing their switches 26,

will simultaneously close the circuits to the red and green lights 29 and 2I at opposite sides of an intersection. This will cause the current to iiow from line 29 through the wires 46, 41 and 48, and the respective pairs of contacts 34 and 31, 35 and 38, and 36 and 39 to the wires 51, then through the switches 26 by way of the contacts 21 and 58 to the wires 59 leading to the lights or other signals, so that the green lights are exhibited to traiic traveling in opposite directions on one street and the red lights set against the traffic in opposite directions on one or more intersecting streets. Y

As heretofore explained, during the sixtysecond( cycle the red and green lightsopposing -Thus the'` ca-msi 9,;whioh operatetheyyellour or` amber caution lights Awill-,be 'spaeedfy to operate several :degrees behind the'cams t8 due to the different radial positions thereof on "the {shaft y i5, and will onlyy close the`A circuits to theyvaricus lights upon striking the operatingfarms jor. levers 21 to close the switches 26 againstK thejcontacts 58 for thedesired time duration .determined `by thepositions and shapes of the earns. ,'Ilhecams, as. shown; are made tol-*give thesequene described in connection witha sixtyseoond cycle. i

vIn the .operation just idescribed; the-motor -H is running and the relay 52; is in its open, position due to the energizatienof the magnet .5 |causing the attraction of the armature 54.away.f romfthe contact 55 and as-long as the-frnotorcontinues to operate; `the .Signals .will be. @Deleted inftheirxreeularr-sequenceto indicate -stop and ffgojiand caution, with the lichange/srirrthe signals. Y ,How-

ever, if the motori I1V shouldrstop' for J.any reason, u such as becausepi disturbances -pijthe circuit' theretdassuming that there: is y,zio-failure :in the current supply front thepower line,-such Tas by the mom burning; out .a `Sheri @Mult-.0n burning out or blowing of y thefuse x49* inthe wi-ref45 lead instothe motrllthe Current .to .themasaettl of4 the l relay .52 will .be cutpi I thus .releasing or freeing the .Contact @met matureltftolpermit thelatterjtoA eloseagainst thecontact 55-in the normally; 0.19.Sedposition` .0ithe re1ay:.52-,.

This deenergizationofthe ma; .iHv/.1.11elpee-Y the emergen@ relay energizing @i tratti-,1e dutrs OI. Wiesan. .Gr.by'a1'-ewme-urrent to pass therethrough from thel 2 rseeetitefcetats eine@ A`3ift0-1erre-.ase the contacts 40,41 `Aand 42 'thereby opening the cir-l agaigmd; uflwsnr" iwihes 'i 25. "facnd Wi'res 1 5.9" Sofihetihre .will -bereurrent-ras lights. eveil.. Shellllziheiswtehes1.2.6 .te clesecifby accidental'or other partial'. rotation. of l thershatt '5Jfidirarisfeeseiete.therewith- .he @sha1-f3.1

.pron the 'segregation .of e rent aridA slid the'exerfsiner'slenei Operating @tor M f e 'to the or other s1- seed `fdlesired,"and which, pas exploit Qd i 65 in, connection vwith 'the-intor I-1,` maybe va `,ed

.6 t0 dese the also, l7o 11 for specialtraihc conditions'or whenV the trafc and 35 .and wires angoli) -yvith thev interposed fuses 4'9'Ifromthe1inewire through the various partsas specifed,and.iinally from the lights 22 back through the line\wire 28. l u

Thus, f as long 'as the .motorf62 eontinuesgto operate, the cam .66, secured to the shaft 65 thereof, ywill continue to revolve so as to strike the operating arms orlevers 610i the switches 68 to simultaneously close the circuits therethrough and sehdfthecurrent to the load side of the yellowor amber fcautionfllights 22, causing them to ila'sh, or blink, approximatelyevery second, or substantiallyjifty times per minute, `or at any other desired speedaccording to the speed 0f them9t0r--.

Obviously, when themagnet 3Ivwas energized, the regular circuits to the, red; green and amber lights were broken, cuttingthem off entirely, until theamber lights-were connected and operated Y through the emrgenfy circuit by themotor 62,

as described. "lhus, instead ci `leaving the red and green lightsV from 'ODpOsite .directions set against each other -at-intersections in contrary or bewildering relation, and causing serious accidents,especially"during the hours of darkness, my signal system, or device, l entirelyI eliminates such condition ldue to the V"exitinguishng ,of the lights, especially the red' and 'jgreen stop and ,go" lightsjand the subsequent flashing of the yellow or amber caution'lights:atfopposite'sidesof the intersection, sothat the drivers -of cars and pedestrians will be (properly Warned,fand the possibility or probability of accidents denitely eliminated. o,

Fig. 4 shows thefsame circuit arrangement' as illustrated in Fig."'3,:but,v with'the circuit tothe motor Hopen or disrupted throughany cause so as to deenergize'thernag'net 5I VVandwith thecontacts or armatures 34,35, 361an1d 54 closed against the respectiveicontacts 40,4 |,4'2. and 55. However, as heretoforecexplaineddnstead of having the circuits tofthe; lights fclo'sed through the switches"26 so' thatxtlietlatter must take;the load thereon, the switches aiemei'el'y .usedfor closing thecircuits .through therelaysi19, so that the circuitsito the. lights, or.' other signals, will Lbe closedthrough the'wiresl, 484 Aand contacts 82 and 83 by therienergization fof 'the imagnets 18, thus relievirigtlieiswitches 26 of the load for 'operating the signals, "which'limay be visual :or audible, as heretofore "explained Wiresi, 84 are used in lieu ofwires '59.

In this manner, 'either arrangement WiIIpeimit the use of very light,in'fexpensive*v equipment, or 'parts whichr'nay economically produced; nur chased `and"maintained, soth'atthere will 'be a considerable lsav'ing in 'the maintenahceof signal systems; or the 1ke,:'o'f thecharact'er described.

The cperatlonfof the. emergency yellowor amber lightsrzz 'asfflasher's o'r'bunkers is'the same as describedfiniigsarrd14 "'f the "drawings, and they will continue Vto operate individually until the circuitto themotor i1is"reestablished by rep'air:orreplacingfof theimot'or 'oriuse- 49 'in the iwire* oftthenorrn'al motorcircuit. `Also,` itis obvious vthat the flashers `of vthe' emergency relay energizing .circuitmay be -set to Aoperateat any time desired, zmerely by'backingf o'ut or removing the said fuse to break the circuit to the motor is light, such as after certain hours at night, lor

otherwise.

It is, also; to be. understood-that .theepartsshown in Figs. `l, 2, 5 andxdfarranged .upon the` panel .l 2,- maybe' enclosed in? anygsuitable casing or1 housing capable of being opened for obtaining access, to the equipment, as is usual in traic timers or controllers, and that the panel I2 may be arranged horizontally or vertically, as desired.

By changing the circumferential positions of the cams, or using cams of different shape or contour substituted for the other cams, the sequence, or timed relation of operation of the signals may be varied, as will be found best suitable for particular trafila conditions or lighting arrangement. Of course, the fuses 49 protect the various parts of the circuits and in an emergency backing out or removal of any of said fuses, especially in the wires 48, 4l, and 48, will permit any of the sets of signals or lights to be thrown out of operation and others operated as desired to meet certain conditions.

Also, the two cams operating the micro-switches to the red and green stop and go lights may, by merely opening the control switch and loosening the set screws holding said cams on the cam shaft, be slid over out of the way, or path of the two switches which they normally operate, and then, by again anchoring said cams and closing the control switch to the motor I'I, the device will operate as a flasher system, even though slowly` unless the 1 R. P. M. motor is replaced by a motor of higher speed, such as 25 R. P. M. or otherwise, as desired. Any number of signal boxes for lights, with any desired signal indications of any number, may be set at the various corners of intersections, or, merely one at the center of the inter-Y indeiinite period', or until repaired or restored to` normal direction signal operating condition in which the top" and "go lights are operating, I may'intentionally and automatically break said circuit or cut' 01T the stop and go lights and intermittently operate 'only the yellow o1' amber caution lights 22 as blinkers, for denite and predetermined periods or hours of each day, or twenty-four hour period, such as between twelve midnight and ve or six a. m., when tramo is practically nil, or light, or at other desired times.

For this purpose a normally closed quick-make and break micro-switch 85 is interposed in the circuit to the stop, go and caution direction signal-operating 1 R. P. M. motor il and connected thereto in series with the motor il and the neutral line 28. VvThis maybe done by inter- I posing the normally closed switch 85 in the wire 45, or either return wire 58 or 53. For this purpose wires 88 and 8'! from the terminals of the switch 85 are respectively connected to opposite ends of a gap in either of saidA wires 45, 5t or 53, andshown las the latter.' Switch 85 has an' operating arm or lever`88 adapted to be pressed in for opening the switch 85 and the normally closed circuit therethrough, tothe motor I'I which normally operates the direction signals or lights. Lever 88 cooperates with Contact wire 88.

A self-starting synchronous motor 89, revolving at one revolution per day, or every twenty-l four hours, and represented by 1 R.. P. D., has its terminals respectively connected to the return ci" neutral line wire 28 by a wire 90, and either directly to the phase supply line 28 with a separate interposed protecting fuse 49, the same as fuses 49, heretofore described, or indirectly thereto through wire 45 to supply current to the motor 89 for operating the same when the circuits thereto and to the 1 R. P. M. direction signal-operating motor I1, are normally closed and the red, green and yellow lights are operating in sequence for= normal traiic conditions.

A cam 92 is removably and adjustably xed to' the rotor shaft 93 of the 1 R. P. D. motor 89, in the same manner as the cams heretofore described are mounted on their respective shafts,

but in position adjacent to and aligned with the operating arm, or lever 88 of the switch 85 to de# press and hold in lever 88 to open the switch 85' and hold it open for denite and predeterminedv periods, depending upon the length or shape and'- setting of the cam 92.

As shown, the cam 92 is in the shape of approx-v imately a quarter sector or segment of a circle,

with a substantially 90 angle between its radialA sides, in which case the cam 92, as it very slowly revolves with the shaft 93 of the motor 89, will be clear or out of engagement with the lever 88,'

or merely contacting therewith without pressing in the same, for approximately eighteen hours or three-quarters of a day or twenty-four hour' period with normal direction signal operation andv in engagement with and pressing in lever 88 tov open switch and the circuit to the motor I`I` for approximately six hours with only the flashing amber signal operation by the motor 62, but, kthis may be varied as desired by substituting a cam with a shorter, or longer arc.

The cam may be set to hold in lever 88 and the switch 85 open for six hours, say from twelveA midnight to six a. m., or at other hours desired and disengaged from the lever 88, with the switch, 85 normally closed for eighteen hours from six Thus, when the switch 85 'f is left closed, the circuit to the motor I'I will be" a. m. to midnight.

closed to operate all of the direction signals or red, green and yellow lights 2I, 2| and 22 in the normal way during the hours of the day when,

the traic is heavy.

When the switch 85 is held open, the circuit to the motor I1 will be broken to cause the inter' mittent operation or iiashing of the yellow lights This is because of the resulting closing of the emer gency signal circuit to the 25 R. P. M. motor 62,*`vr and the yellow lights 22 through the normally` 22 only, as caution or warning blinkers.

open switches 88, which are instantaneously and intermittently closed and freed approximately,l

each and every second by the cam 65 on the shaft 65 of the motor 62, to cause similarly timed iiash; ing of the lights 22 as heretofore explained.

The cam 92 may be shorter to hold the switchV- 85 open for less time, say five hours, from twelve midnight to ve a. m. and to leave the switch 85 closed for the other nineteen hours, or by Justment thereof.

with this arrangement, the normal trame lights will be on and operating for definite or predetermined periods or hours each day, or twentyfour hour period, such as in the daytime, and the red and green lights off with only the flashing yellow caution lights on and operating for the other or remaining definite or predetermined periods, or hours each day or twenty-four hour period, such as at night. Then, when this arrangement is inoperative with motor 89 not running and the circuit thereof broken, but with switch 85 closed and motor I1 running, normal direction signal operation from cams I8 and I9 will continue.

On the other hand, with motor I1 or both motors I1 and 89 not running and with the circuit of motor I1 broken, the amber lights 22 will flash as blinkers. This arrangement may be omitted when it is only desired to operate the blinkers for indefinite periods, or in case of an emergency due to failure or other breaking of the circuit to the motor I1 intentionally or unintentionally. Also, it will be understood that the parts 18, 19, 85, 89, 92 and 93 will be mounted on the panel I2 in the same manner as the other corresponding or similar parts, such as parts I5, I1, I8, I9, 26, 26', 62, 65, 66 and 68, as heretofore described.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims. j

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, an electrical circuit, a motor in the circuit, signals in the circuit, normally open switches in the circuit with the signals, said switches having operating levers, a shaft driven by the motor, cams on the shaft for actuating the levers in timed sequence to close the circuit to the signals, a magnetic device normally in open circuit to normally close the circuit to the switches, a magnetic device in circuit with the motor to normally hold the first magnetic device in open circuit and to close the circuit thereto upon opening of the circuit to the motor, a, second motor of a different speed than the first motor and in normally open circuit when the circuit to the first motor is closed and placed in closed circuit with the first magnetic device upon opening of the circuit to the first motor and magnetic device in circuit therewith, a normally open switch in normally open circuit with certain of the signals when the first magnetic device is in its normal position and adapted upon opening of the circuit to the first motor to be placed in circuit with said certain signals, and a cam driven by the second motor to engage and close the last-named switch intermittently to correspondingly close the circuit to said certain signals.

2. In a device of the class described, an electrical circuit, a slow speed motor in the circuit, lamps in the circuit, normally open make and break switches in circuit with the lamps, said switches having operating levers, a shaft driven by the niotor, cams on the shaft opposing the levers of the switches for intermittently closing the switches in timed sequence to corresponding- 1y close the circuit to the lamps, a relay normally in position to close the circuit to the switches, a

relay in circuit with the motor to maintain the first relay in open circuit when the motor circuit is closed and to close the circuit to the first relay when the motor circuit is opened to thereby break the circuit to the switches, a second motor of higher speed than the first motor in circuit with the first relay to operate when the first motor circuit is opened, a shaft driven by the second motor, a double-acting cam on the latter shaft and opposed quick-make and break switches on opposite sides of the cam and having operating levers intermittently actuated by the cam when rotated to correspondingly close the latter switches, said latter switches being placed in circuit with certain of the lamps when the circuit to the first relay is closed to break the circuit to the iirst switches and operate the second motor, to intermittently close the circuit to said certain lamps to cause flashing thereof.

3. In a device of the character described, an electrical circuit, trafiic signals in said circuit stop and go signals and caution signals, switches in said circuit with said signals, a motor in said circuit, means operated by said motor to actuate said signals at intervals, a second motor, means operated by the opening of the circuit to the first said motor to interrupt the circuit to said stop and go signals, and complete the circuit to said second motor, and cause said caution signals to be brought into the circuit as controlled by said second motor, a third motor in said circuit, and means controlled by said third motor to interrupt the circuit to the rst motor and said stop and go signals for a predetermined interval and then again complete said circuit to the first said motor and said stop and go signals.

4. In a device of the character described, an electrical circuit, traffic control lights in the circuit including stop and go lights and caution lights, switches in circuit with said lights, a relatively low speed motor in said circuit, means operated by said motor to actuate said switches at intervals to close the circuit to said lights in accordance with a predetermined sequence, a second motor in said circuit of higher speed than the first said motor, means operated by said second motor for actuating the switches to said caution lights only, means included in said circuit for completing the circuit to said second motorl and said caution lights when the circuit to the first said motor is interrupted, a third motor in said circuit of lower speed than the first said motor, means operated b y said third rnctor for discontinuing the circuit to the first said motor and the stop and "go lights for a predetermined interval and then again completing said circuit to said first motor and said stop and Vgo lights upon the expiration of said interval.

PETER HINSHELWOOD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,973,603 Brandenburger Sept. 11, 1934 2,119,593 Martel June 7, 1938 1,900,723 Miller Mar. 7, 1933 2,166,721 Jeffers July 18, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 384,029 Great Britain Dec. 1, 1932 

